The Columbus East Olympian Spirit Marching Band has been brushing up on its geometry preparing to debut a new competitive show this weekend at the Indiana State School Music Association Scholastic Marching Band preliminaries.
The band’s show, “Pyramidion,” takes its name from the apex of a pyramid. The new show features props that include pyramids on poles and band formations will feature triangular forms throughout the performance.
East band members will perform in Class A at 2:28 p.m. Saturday at Whiteland Community High School, hoping to eventually qualify for the finals Oct. 22 at Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis.
Band director David Rodgers said the 90-member band has spent the past week rehearsing and he has seen improvement in the competitive show each day.
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“It’s a matter of getting all the little things in place,” Rodgers said.
Band member Charlotte Watts, a senior who has been in marching band for four years, said there’s a sense of camaraderie among everyone as the band prepares for competition. Band members should practice how they perform and give 100 percent effort, she said.
Last year, the band was second in its class, but 11th overall at the ISSMA competition in Evansville, which prevented the band from reaching the semistate round.
In addition to Saturday’s competition, the band will also be competing at the Mid-States Band Association competition Nov. 5 in Kings Mill, Ohio, with nearly two dozen other schools. Although the band didn’t make the finals at that competition last year, Rodgers said the goal this year is to be among the top five bands.
Elizabeth Pevlor, a senior who has been in marching band for four years, is hoping to make the best of her final year. The 18-year-old said she prepares for competitions by getting in the right frame of mind and keeping herself physically fit.
She described the experience of traveling to compete as just one activity that brings band members together during the season.
“Being with the band so much — we have practices three times, sometimes four or even five times a week if there’s competitions — we really come together as a family,” she said.
No matter where the band places, Rodgers said he is proud of the work the performers have put in so far this season.
“I think you define success by taking a look at where you’re going, where you came from and where you end up,” Rodgers said. “It’s not necessarily about winning or losing.”
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What: Indiana State School Music Association Scholastic Marching Band preliminaries
Where: Whiteland Community High School, 300 Main St., Whiteland
When: 2:28 p.m. Saturday
Scholastic Class Bands receiving a Gold Rating at the Scholastic preliminaries will perform at the Scholastic Finals Oct. 22 at Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis.
What: Mid-States Band Association competition
Where: Kings High School, 5500 Columbus Road, Kings Mill, Ohio
When: Nov. 5
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